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Women in Manufacturing Association Announces 2025 Class of Hall of Fame Inductees 

The Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) announced the 12 prestigious women leaders who comprise the 2025 class of Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame inductees.  

This sixth group of honorees will be officially welcomed to the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame as part of the 15th annual WiM SUMMIT taking place at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL from October 12-14. More than 2,500 attendees will join in the celebration of these trailblazing women in manufacturing.  

The Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame honors women who have made outstanding contributions during the course of their established careers in the industry. Recipients include women who are dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women in the manufacturing industry. 

“As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Women in Manufacturing, we’re proud to announce the 2025 class of Hall of Fame inductees,” said Allison Grealis, WiM President and Founder. “These outstanding women have not only advanced excellence in manufacturing but have also paved the way for future generations through their leadership and dedication to building more inclusive workplaces. Their impact exemplifies the very mission WiM has championed for the past 15 years.” 

The 2025 class of Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame inductees: 

• Teresa Beach-Shelow, President, Superior Joining Technologies Inc. 
• Amanda Lee Edwards, Vice President of Enterprise Excellence, Shaw Industries, Inc. 
• Ann Franzen, Vice President of Manufacturing, Ceilings, USG Corporation 
• Dawn Garibaldi, Founder and CEO, Amplify Strategy Group, LLC 
• Virginia Ashlock Harn, Principal, Manufacturing, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) 
• Lynn Kier, Strategic Communications Executive, Manufacturing Industry, LSK Consulting 
• Lora McCawley, Plant Manager, Siemens 
• Cheryl Merchant, CEO and President, Taco Family Companies 
• Jolen Stein, Senior Director, People Services, BASF Corporation 
• Cheryl Thompson, Founder and CEO, CADIA 
• Gina Trombley, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Chief Commercial Officer, Wabtec Corporation 
• Yati Varshneya, Director, Operations Excellence and Engineering, Johnson Matthey 

Inductees were nominated by their colleagues and industry peers and selected by a judging panel of WiM’s executive committee and leadership. The inductees were chosen based on their lifetime contributions to the advancement of women in manufacturing. 

“We are honored to welcome these exceptional women into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame,” said Danielle Schneider, WiM Board Chair and Applications Engineer, Programs at Pridgeon & Clay, Inc. “Their innovative accomplishments and leadership set a powerful example for women across the industry. By recognizing their impact, we not only celebrate their success but also help inspire and empower the next generation of women in manufacturing.” 

For more information, visit https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/. 

FasTest Appoints Boyle VP of Global Sales  

FasTest Inc., announced the appointment of Brian Boyle as the company’s new vice president of Global Sales, effective immediately.  

With over two decades of experience in sales leadership and strategic business development, Brian brings a proven track record of driving revenue growth, building high-performing teams, and expanding global market presence. In his new role, Brian will oversee FasTest’s worldwide sales strategy, customer engagement initiatives, and channel development efforts to support the company’s continued growth and innovation.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Brian to the FasTest Leadership Team,” said Marcelo Hengeltraub, CEO of FasTest, Inc. “His deep expertise in global sales operations and his passion for customer success make him the ideal leader to guide our sales organization into the next phase of growth.”   

Prior to joining FasTest, Brian held senior leadership roles at Danfoss and Eaton, where he successfully led international sales teams and implemented scalable go-to-market strategies across diverse industries. His leadership style is rooted in collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a relentless focus on delivering value to customers.  

“Joining FasTest, Inc. as Vice President of Global Sales is both an honor and an exciting opportunity,” said Brian Boyle. “The company’s culture of excellence and innovation inspires me, and I am eager to collaborate with our talented team to accelerate growth and expand our international presence.”   

Brian holds an MBA from Bethel University based in Saint Paul, MN and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from St John’s University, based in Collegeville, MN.  

For more information, visit www.fastestinc.com. 

Pleora Appoints Hanna President as Company Marks 25-Year Anniversary  

Pleora Technologies announced the appointment of Anis Hanna as President. Mr. Hanna brings extensive experience to his new role, with a background spanning operations, supply chain, sales, IT, engineering, and professional services. 

Mr. Hanna joined Pleora in 2014 and has held progressive leadership roles, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer. Throughout his career at Pleora, he has led strategic initiatives that enhanced operational efficiency, strengthened customer relationships, and supported the company’s growth in the industrial, defense, and medical sectors. In conjunction with this appointment, Harry Page is announcing his retirement following his second term as President. Mr. Page will remain with Pleora as a member of its Board of Directors. 

As the company celebrates its 25th year, Pleora is set to release new solutions that affirm its leadership in the vision and imaging sector, including:  

• External frame grabbers that optimize computing resources and expand processing options for high-speed imaging by combining the performance advantages of GigE Vision with the ease of use and widespread availability of Thunderbolt™.  
• Embedded video interfaces that integrate RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCEv2) to simplify design, reduce risk, and speed time-to-market for high-performance imaging devices while ensuring high data rate transfer and efficient processing.  
• Enhanced features and user experience in eBUS SDK 7, including support for new GenDC payload types, industrial integration with ROS 2/ROS for robotics, expanded ARM platform support, C# support on Linux, GStreamer plug-ins for Linux, and a fully modernized eBUS Player.   

“Anis brings proven operational expertise combined with strong customer focus – qualities that are critical as we enter our next stage of growth,” said George Chamberlain, Chief Executive Officer, Pleora Technologies. “As a long-term employee, Anis has played a central role in demonstrating, building, and now leading an internal culture focused on delivering the best products and support possible. We’d also like to thank Harry for pausing his retirement and providing steady leadership to guide the organization forward.” 

“It is an honor to lead such a talented team at Pleora,” said Mr. Hanna. “As we celebrate 25 years of innovation we’re focused on delivering the next generation of superior solutions, backed by unmatched support, to help solve real-world imaging challenges in the industrial, defense, and medical markets.”  

For more information, visit pleora.com.  

America Makes Honors 2025 Award Recipients During MMX 

America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing (AM) Innovation Institute, announced the recipients of its 2025 Ambassador Awards and Distinguished Collaborator Award at the annual Members Meeting and Exchange (MMX) event held on August 5-6 in Youngstown, OH. 

The Ambassador Award Program, launched in 2017, recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to advancing America Makes and its mission. The 2025 class embodies a cross-section of the industry whose efforts have significantly shaped additive technology and showcase the strength of the AM community. These champions also symbolize the progress achieved in AM technology, industrial base expansion, and workforce development. 

“We are honored to have a passionate and powerful membership base that proactively leads efforts across their industries and beyond that boosts our efforts as an Institute," said John Wilczynski, Executive Director of America Makes. "Today, we sit at a critical juncture within America Makes. By reinforcing and expanding our effective collaboration model, the dedicated efforts of our supporters are essential to strengthening the U.S. industrial base and igniting the next wave of technological breakthroughs in additive manufacturing." 

Congratulations to the following Ambassadors: 

• David Beck, Former Branch Chief, Space Industrial Base & Supply Chain, U.S. Space Force (Missing from photo) 
• Stacey Eeman, Director, Industry Strategy, SME 
• Thomas Pomorski, Director of Additive Manufacturing, Ursa Major 
• Mark Shaw, Chief Engineer, National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) 
• Samantha Snabes, Co-Founder & Catalyst, re:3D 
• Andrew Thompson, Manager & Deputy Chief Engineer of Additive Manufacturing, Northrop Grumman 
• Rich Wetzel, President, The Lanterman Group 

Also, during the event, Adele Ratcliff, Director (retired), Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office, was presented with the 2025 Distinguished Collaborator Award. Established in 2014, recipients of this award are celebrated for cultivating collaborative relationships with academia, government, and industry. Over the course of her career, Ratcliff, who recently announced her retirement after nearly 30 years of service, has been a key driver in significantly boosting the agility and readiness of the U.S. Defense Industrial Base to respond to national security challenges. By leveraging the authority of the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, she has strengthened traditional technical capabilities and fostered emerging industrial sectors. 

During her acceptance remarks, Ratcliff stated, "While additive manufacturing has become ubiquitous, we still face the challenge of qualifying parts at pace; the adversaries do not pause their efforts, neither can we. We must think strategically, how to enable manufacturing in austere environments with unstable infrastructure while maintaining quality and reliability for critical national defense applications." 

She continued, "It has been an honor to serve alongside you all, to be inspired daily by people who choose to show up and make a difference in manufacturing, a commitment that underpins our national security. As I transition from government service, I carry the lessons and connections forged here forward, confident in the rising tide of disruptors and young innovators eager to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Thank you to America Makes, the flagship Manufacturing USA Institute.” 

For more information, visit https://www.americamakes.us/. 

Chroma Awards Dr. Keren the Anne Heidenthal Prize for Fluorescence Research 

Chroma once again presented the Anne Heidenthal Prize for Fluorescence Research to a young scientist who presents extraordinary research in the field of fluorescence imaging. This year, the committee chose Dr. Leeat Keren from the Department of Molecular Cell Biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Dr. Keren was selected for her work in combinatorial multiplexing in proteins. Her work is focused on state-of-the-art proteomics staining to detect metastatic spreading in lymph nodes as a novel technology for early-stage detection of cancer. Technologies such as spatial proteomics with MIBI-TOF and spatial transcriptomics (CosMX) are used to detect cells in tissues at the protein and gene levels. 

“Each year the committee selects a worthy scientist to recognize for their work in the field, and this year is no exception,” said Georg Draude, Director of Sales EMEA, presenter of the Anne Heidenthal Prize. “We look forward to seeing how Dr. Keren’s work develops from here.”  

This year the award ceremony was organized by the Berlin Institute of Health and held in Berlin. Dr. Keren was unable to attend the award ceremony in person due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. During this time, her lab was destroyed in a missile strike as well. Before presenting her scientific work via video connection during the ceremony, Dr. Keren addressed the scientific community in attendance to express her hope for peace and the possibility of future global collaboration among researchers, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or citizenship. In the days following the attack, she received overwhelming support from researchers worldwide.   

The Anne Heidenthal Prize for Fluorescence Research was established in 2014 to honor the memory of Anne Heidenthal (1968–2010). Anne Heidenthal was an accomplished researcher with a Ph.D. in cardiovascular research who played a very important role in Chroma’s history. Dr. Heidenthal led the opening of Chroma’s first international sales office in Germany in 2006. In preparation, she spent two years in Vermont working at Chroma’s main facility in Bellows Falls to learn the business and become deeply knowledgeable about our products and operations. Her commitment and energy laid the foundation for our future success.   

For more information, visit https://www.chroma.com/company. 

Ascential Technologies Welcomes Petersen as Regional Director, Aerospace and Industrials in the Americas 

Ascential Technologies, a global provider of automated diagnostic, inspection, assembly and test systems and services across a wide range of industries, has hired Erik Petersen as regional director of Aerospace and Industrials (A&I) in the Americas. In this position, Petersen will play an integral role in accelerating growth in the North American market and strengthening the company’s partnerships regionally.  

With over two decades of leadership experience in manufacturing and industrial sectors, including aerospace and defense, he has a proven track record of driving strategic growth, operational excellence and international expansion. Additionally, he has extensive expertise in engineered products, capital equipment, and highly regulated industries.  

“Erik’s commercial strength, his ability to create high performing teams, his lean transformation skills, and his experience with M&A and business integration all put him in the perfect position to take us to the next level in his new role,” said Scott Watts, Test & Measurement Systems divisional CEO for Ascential Technologies. “We are very excited to have him here with us.”   

Most recently, Petersen worked for Magnetic Holdings, LLC (now Permag), a private equity platform business which serves many industries, including aerospace and defense, life sciences and semiconductor capital equipment. During his time with the company, he served as vice president of Sales & Marketing, where he also had interim stretch assignments as general manager and head of R&D Engineering. He also previously worked at Konecranes, a global leader in material handling solutions across multiple industries. During his tenure at the company, he worked in business development and sales leadership capacities, following several years as a technical lead overseeing product management and aftermarket services. 

Petersen earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management with an emphasis in finance and organizational leadership.  

In his spare time, the Evanston, Illinois, resident volunteers as a committee chair for a Scouting America cub scout pack and serves as an event organizer for Kellogg Cares Day, an event supporting care and maintenance of woodlands near his alma mater.  

For more information, visit www.ascentialtech.com. 

Critical Manufacturing Acquires Convanit to Advance AI-Powered Image Analytics in Smart Manufacturing 

Critical Manufacturing, a leading provider of next-generation Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), has announced the acquisition of Convanit, an AI specialist focused on image-based analytics for high-tech manufacturing. The acquisition marks a significant step in expanding the capabilities of the Critical Manufacturing Data Platform, enabling customers to harness the power of visual AI to drive greater precision, automation, and insight. 

With its flagship solution “c-Alice”, Convanit brings a powerful image classification engine built for complex industrial environments. The solution allows manufacturers to swiftly build and deploy custom AI models for visual inspection without the need for specialized programming or data science skills. What once required time consuming, manual inspection can now be done faster and with greater accuracy and built-in quality assurance. 

"Manufacturers face growing pressure to deliver higher quality, faster, and ensure complete traceability, yet visual data remains one of the most underused assets on the shop floor," said Francisco Almada Lobo, CEO of Critical Manufacturing. "By integrating Convanit's advanced AI-powered image analytics into our platform, we are transforming how customers convert unstructured image data into actionable, contextualized intelligence. This acquisition is a key milestone in our vision for truly data driven, Industry 4.0 manufacturing.” 

Through the integration of c-Alice, manufacturers using the Critical Manufacturing Data Platform will be able to: 

• Seamlessly ingest, classify, and analyze image data in conjunction with real-time process data. 
• Automate defect detection and trigger real-time anomaly alerts across production stages. 
• Connect image insights directly to MES workflows, traceability records, and quality reporting. 
• Deploy scalable AI models with low latency for continuous in-line operations. 

Convanit's intuitive interface supports a wide range of users including quality engineers and process specialists with no need for advanced coding skills. This accessibility helps scale AI adoption across production teams, enabling "citizen data scientists" to take ownership of model development and refinement. 

"We created c-Alice to make visual AI simple, flexible, and effective for manufacturers," said Michael Meinel, co-founder of Convanit. "Joining Critical Manufacturing brings our vision to a global stage, embedding it into one of the most powerful MES ecosystems on the market." 

The acquisition further reinforces Critical Manufacturing's commitment to innovation in high-precision sectors including semiconductors, electronics, medical devices, and industrial equipment industries where traceability, quality, and responsiveness are business critical. 

For more information, visit https://www.criticalmanufacturing.com/. 

Fed Holds Rates Steady Amid Diverging Views; Manufacturing Outlook Remains Strong  

The Federal Reserve held the federal funds rate steady at a target range of 4.25% to 4.5% for the fifth meeting in a row. For the first time since December 1993, two members of the committee dissented, instead favoring a quarter-point cut to the federal funds rate. In announcing the decision, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said, “The economy is not performing as if overly restrictive monetary policy is holding it back.”  

“Looking past the oscillations caused by trade, the latest GDP report showed continued spending by consumers on goods and investment in new equipment. Powell acknowledged that the current level of interest rates is not overly restrictive and the outsized demand for manufacturing technology in the first half of 2025 appears to confirm this outlook,” said Christopher Chidzik, principal economist of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. “Should the economy continue to operate at or near full employment as Powell has asserted in the past two meetings, further investment in manufacturing technology may be required to meet sustained consumer demand.”  

For more information from AMT, visit www.amtonline.org. 

E Tech Group Names Smiley as First CRO 

E Tech Group announced the appointment of Sean Smiley as Chief Revenue Officer, effective immediately. Smiley will be a key member of the executive team, informing the company’s overall strategy on territory and market expansion, international growth, and product development to serve E Tech Group’s clients globally.  

Smiley joins E Tech Group with over 20 years of experience in sales leadership, operational execution, and high-growth strategy within the industrial automation sector. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Services at Stratus Technologies, where he led a global team of 190 sales professionals across 22 locations. Prior to that, he was Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Eagle Automation. Earlier in his career, he played a key leadership role at Cimation, helping position the company for its successful acquisition by Accenture. Smiley has also held senior roles at Rockwell Automation, Yokogawa, and Emerson. 

In his new role, Smiley will lead the sales organization, shape and execute E Tech Group’s go-to-market strategy, lead client acquisition efforts, and ensure close coordination between sales, marketing, and revenue operations.  He prioritizes value-driven client engagement, clear communication, and accountability to help foster a sales culture that supports long-term growth and client success.  

“Sean brings a powerful combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, targeted go-to-market insight, and a strong track record of driving revenue growth to E Tech Group,” said Matt Wise, CEO of E Tech Group. “In addition to his relevant industry experience and successful history, Sean has a visionary mindset and a commitment to building cohesive, high-trust sales teams. E Tech Group has seen tremendous growth over the past few years, driving a new model as a “Main Automation Partner” for its clients and we have every confidence that Sean will accelerate that and aid us in taking that model global.”  

“I’m excited to join E Tech Group at a time of bold strategic growth,” said Sean Smiley. “E Tech Group is redefining the System Integrator and delivering significant value to clients as their Main Automation Partner. The business development organization plays a key role, partnering with clients and working together towards digital transformation and meaningful value. There’s tremendous opportunity to scale our impact and truly disrupt and evolve the world of industrial automation.” 

For more information, visit https://etechgroup.com/. 

RDAbbott Appoints Dr. Amrutiya as Innovation Business Development Manager  

RDAbbott has hired Dr. Ragin Amrutiya as its first Innovation Business Development Manager (IBDM). In this newly created role, Ragin will drive business growth by identifying and developing new opportunities through innovative approaches, strategic partnerships, and market expansion. His work will blend strategic foresight with hands-on execution, guided by a passion for emerging technologies and entrepreneurial thinking.  

Before joining RDAbbott, Ragin spent over 17 years as Technical Manager for SILMIX®, a subsidiary of Wacker Chemical Company. He developed advanced silicone materials for key industries including aerospace, automotive, energy, and medical. Known for his technical innovation and customer focus, Ragin collaborated with global leaders such as Boeing, 3M, and Tesla. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry with a specialization in Polymer Science and also served as an R&D Executive for Solvay Advanced Polymers.  

“Ragin has an outstanding track record in developing high-performance silicone materials,” said RDAbbott’s Lincoln Gilmour, Director of Business Development Sales at RDAbbott. “I’m excited to have him join our team. His commitment to technical innovation and customer-first mindset fits our mission and focus at both RDAbbott and NovationSi, our manufacturing subsidiary. Ragin will be a valuable addition as we continue to expand our product portfolio and market impact.”  

As RDAbbott’s first IBDM, Ragin will analyze industry trends, emerging technologies, and disruptive opportunities. He will also meet face-to-face with customers and account managers to provide tailored solutions. To bring innovative concepts from the laboratory to the marketplace, he will collaborate closely with R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and sales.  

“I’m excited to find new business opportunities that are aligned with RDAbbott’s innovation and growth strategies,” Ragin said. “Whether applying existing products to new markets, discovering new applications in existing marketing, or developing new products for new markets, RDAbbott embodies applied curiosity.”  

For more information, visit RDAbbott.com.  

Coesia Acquires Autoware 

Coesia, a global leader in advanced industrial and packaging solutions, has announced the acquisition of the majority capital of Autoware, an international Manufacturing Software Integrator based in Vicenza, specialized in high-quality software for manufacturing operations management, supply chain operations and process control.  

Its portfolio includes Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) software, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) solutions for leading companies, mostly but not limited to those in the Food & Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods, and Pharmaceutical sectors. 

"This acquisition marks another important steppingstone in Coesia's digital transformation journey, reinforcing our commitment to leading the Industry 4.0 evolution. By integrating Autoware's deep digital expertise with Group’s extensive industry knowledge, we are expanding our ability to deliver seamless, end-to-end solutions that enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and meet the rapidly evolving needs of manufacturers worldwide. This move accelerates our vision of becoming a global leader in smart manufacturing solutions," says Alessandro Parimbelli, CEO of Coesia. 

"Partnering with Coesia is a significant opportunity to establish a truly global platform and broaden our reach into new geographies and markets. The Group’s extensive customer portfolio across key industries will further accelerate Autoware’s growth in continuity with the existing strategy, while maintaining our commitment to delivering high-quality solutions for digital transformation in manufacturing," states Luigi De Bernardini, CEO and founder of Autoware. 

For more information, visit https://www.coesia.com/en. 

Dr. Özkan Receives European Quality Leader Award 

Dr. Ömer Özkan, SOCAR Turkey's Corporate Quality Group Manager, was awarded the title of "2025 European Quality Leader" by the European Organization for Quality (EOQ). This award, given to only one individual each year, was presented to a Turkish executive for the first time in 2025. 

Dr. Özkan, nominated as Türkiye's candidate by the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE), received his award from EOQ President Patrick Mongillon and EOQ Secretary General Ulf Gustavsson at the 66th EOQ Congress held in Oslo, Norway, on June 12-13. This ceremony brought together quality professionals from across Europe. 

The European Quality Leader Award is presented to executives who have made significant contributions to the field of quality management and achieved societal benefits. This award comprehensively evaluates not only corporate success but also criteria such as leadership skills, sustainable practices, social impact, and professional recognition. 

The award's evaluation process is rigorous and multifaceted. Candidates are evaluated based on four main criteria: 

• Professional achievements: Tangible achievements and contributions made by the candidate in the field of quality management throughout his/her career. 
• Leadership skills: Ability to inspire, guide and provide vision to their teams and industry.  
• Professional recognition: Respect and recognition in the field, both nationally and internationally.  
• Tangible success results: Measurable and demonstrable results of projects and practices implemented under your leadership. (Projects within the scope of sustainability, innovation, digital issues, etc.) 

According to the press release, “The fact that Dr. Ömer Özkan was deemed worthy of this award by meeting all of these rigorous criteria demonstrates that his deep expertise and leadership qualities in this field are recognized internationally. Özkan, who has an academic career based in mechanical engineering, strengthened this technical background with an MBA and a PhD. Currently serving as the Corporate Quality Management Group Manager at SOCAR Türkiye, Özkan has gained extensive field experience by previously holding key positions in diverse and critical sectors such as automotive, natural gas, service, and manufacturing. Never abandoning his academic side, Özkan continues to pass on his knowledge and experience to younger generations by teaching at numerous universities. Numerous scientific studies published nationally and internationally prove his intellectual depth in this field.  

“Furthermore, technical qualifications such as ISO lead auditor, UNDP energy manager, and Lean 6 Sigma certification reinforce his competence in the field. Özkan plays an active role not only within his own institution but also on numerous platforms such as the Turkish Quality Association (KalDer), TSE Technical Committees, and Kaizen evaluation boards. By acting as an evaluator in quality awards conducted in line with the EFQM model, it directly contributes to the development of Türkiye's quality ecosystem.” 

For more information, visit https://www.eoq.org/home/. 

Pittsburgh-based Patterns of Meaning Art Initiative Partners with METAL, IACMI to Engage K-12 Students in Steel, Metal Manufacturing 

The Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, led by IACMI – The Composites Institute® with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, announced a new partnership with the Pittsburgh-based Patterns of Meaning Initiative, an innovative program that introduces steel, specialty materials and metal manufacturing to K-12 students through the arts.  

"Manufacturing - including steel and metal production - is necessary for the future and depends on new artisans capable of the creativity and innovation it requires,” said Cory Bonnet, Pittsburgh-based artist and Patterns of Meaning founder. “The goal of Patterns of Meaning is to update the cultural perception of heavy manufacturing from a dying industry to a creative and vital essential human contribution by revealing its contributions to our past, its critical role today and its potential for solving problems in our future.” 

Patterns of Meaning is an unprecedented collection of industrial artifacts, paintings and sculpture honoring the industrial era. Its K-12 initiative is a unique curriculum that combines classroom project-based learning with experiential fine art exhibits, including artwork in steel, glass, ceramics and wood.  

The partnership with METAL will be piloted in public schools in Allegheny County and surrounding counties. It includes classroom presentations, field trips to Patterns of Meaning Exhibit Hall, and hands-on instruction guided by local faculty for class art projects focused on the metalworking industry. Projects may include drawing, painting or collage for younger students, then progress to more complex projects using computer-aided design, wax models, sand casting and additive manufacturing processes for advanced learners. 

By introducing students to the creative and technical opportunities within engineering and sciences through fine art, the initiative will reach students not traditionally tracked for careers in these fields. 

Since its kickoff in 2023, METAL - a U.S. Department of Defense-funded program that is developing a skilled trade pipeline to fill gaps in the U.S. metallurgical and manufacturing workforce - has gained significant momentum, including a rapidly expanding network of university hubs that assist with K-12 and adult metallurgical training. Tennessee Tech, University of Alabama and Michigan Tech are the most recent additions, but the network also includes The Ohio State University, Penn State and the University of Tennessee.   

"We applaud Patterns of Meaning for its innovative efforts to transform public perceptions of the steel industry and manufacturing through fine arts,” said METAL National Workforce Manager Lucinda Curry. “Patterns of Meaning engages youth in metal manufacturing, aligning with METAL’s mission to strengthen the future metalworking workforce.” 

Visit the Patterns of Meaning Workshop and Exhibit Hall in the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. and for a limited time in Brooklyn, N.Y. Patterns of Meaning is displaying its works at the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition in the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh’s exhibit entitled “Brooklyn X Pittsburgh: The Industry of Art” in Brooklyn, New York from July 19 to August 24. 

For more information, visit https://www.metalforamerica.org/, https://iacmi.org/ or https://patternsofmeaning.org/.  

LK Metrology Expands into Industrial CT by Acquiring ProCon X-Ray 

Best known as a manufacturer and global supplier of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and more recently laser scanning sensors, LK Metrology Ltd, based in Castle Donington, UK, announced the acquisition of ProCon X-Ray GmbH, a specialist German manufacturer of computed tomography (CT) systems. With this strategic acquisition, LK Metrology broadens its portfolio of high-precision inspection solutions to include industrial CT imaging, strengthening its position as a long-established provider of metrology systems. 

Founded in 2003 and based in Sarstedt, Germany, ProCon X-Ray develops and manufactures modular CT and X-ray inspection equipment for industrial and scientific applications. Its systems are renowned for high-resolution focus X-ray technology, as well as customisable hardware and software. They are used worldwide in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical, and materials research sectors. 

Through this acquisition, LK Metrology can now offer its customers an even wider range of products for inspection and measurement from a single source, from traditional CMMs, portable measuring arms and laser scanners to high-resolution X-ray equipment and CT analysis. Both companies will work closely together to further develop existing CT systems and deliver new, flexible, integrated metrology solutions of the highest precision to customers worldwide. 

Angelo Muscarella, CEO of LK Metrology said, “With the acquisition of ProCon X-Ray, we are strengthening our position as a leading, full-service provider in metrology. Industrial CT imaging perfectly complements our existing CMM and scanning technologies.” 

Nikolas Westphal, Managing Director of ProCon X-Ray GmbH, added, “We are pleased to become part of the international LK Group and, through its outstanding global presence, to make our market-leading products accessible to a significantly wider customer base.” 

For more information, visit www.lkmetrology.com or www.procon-x-ray.com.  

NEOTech’s Westborough Facility Achieves AS9100 Surveillance Audit 

NEOTech, a premier provider of electronic manufacturing services (EMS), integrated design engineering, and advanced supply chain solutions for the aerospace and defense, medical device, and high-tech industrial markets, announced that its Westborough, MA, facility has successfully completed the rigorous AS9100 Bi-Annual Surveillance Audit with zero findings, a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to quality, security, and operational excellence. 

AS9100 is the aerospace industry’s gold standard for quality management systems, encompassing stringent requirements to safeguard the integrity, reliability, and traceability of mission-critical components. NEOTech’s flawless performance in this latest surveillance audit confirms that its processes continue to meet or exceed the most demanding standards required by the world’s top aerospace & defense (A&D) OEMs. 

This milestone is particularly meaningful as NEOTech supports highly sensitive and classified programs. With the Westborough team’s continued diligence, A&D customers can be confident that their proprietary technologies are protected under a robust quality and compliance framework, an essential safeguard for products that serve U.S. soldiers operating across the globe. 

"Completing an AS9100 surveillance audit with no findings is a significant accomplishment that speaks volumes about the professionalism and dedication of our entire Westborough team," said Chad Burdick, General Manager of NEOTech’s Westborough site. "It demonstrates the strength of our culture of continuous improvement and pursuit of customer excellence. Through collaborative preparation and a shared focus on doing things right, we navigated the audit process with precision. That effort directly translates to building reliable, high-performance products that empower our warfighters to complete their missions and return home safely." 

For more information, visit www.neotech.com.  

May 2025 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $207.8M, Down 2.3% From April 

Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), totaled $207.8 million in May 2025. Orders decreased 2.3% from April 2025 and 5% from May 2024. Year-to-date shipments totaled $1.03 billion, a drop of 5.1% from the same period in 2024. 

“This summer, everyone is playing wait and see,” said Jack Burley, chairman of AMT’s Cutting Tool Product Group. “No one is investing in new production unless they have the security of a long-term project, such as for the defense industry, where cost is less important than delivery. Demand from the automotive market is weak, and the supply chain is getting squeezed by tariffs while vehicle manufacturers protect their bottom line. When we closely check the cutting tool data, unit cost appears to have increased slightly since January, most likely due to price increases. However, it’s too early to establish a trend with variables like surcharges to know the real costs. I don’t know who will win the wait-and-see game, but I hope it works out for everyone soon.” 

Costikyan Jarvis, president of Jarvis Cutting Tools, said, “Sales of cutting tools through May reveal a controlled retreat rather than a collapse. The 5% drop in year-over-year numbers is consistent with the PMI falling below 50 from March through May. Taken in context with other financial metrics like capacity utilization, new vehicle sales, and civilian aircraft production, the second half of this year will likely see a rebound in demand. In short, the cutting tool market remains under pressure, but forward-looking industrial indicators hint that the worst of the pullback may be passing.” 

The Cutting Tool Market Report is jointly compiled by AMT and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development, production, and distribution of cutting tool technology and products. It provides a monthly statement on U.S. manufacturers’ consumption of the primary consumable in the manufacturing process, the cutting tool. Analysis of cutting tool consumption is a leading indicator of both upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a true measure of actual production levels. 

For more information, visit www.amtonline.org.  

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A2LA Opens Second Office in Boulder, CO 

The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), a global accreditation body, announced the opening of a second office in Boulder, Colorado. Located in Flat Irons Park, Boulder, CO, the new office will accommodate growing organizational operations and offer local career opportunities. 

This strategic expansion marks a significant step forward in A2LA’s mission to create a safer, healthier world and to better serve customers across the United States. 

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, A2LA has long been recognized as a leader in accreditation services, supporting laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, reference material producers, biobanks, and product certification organizations nationwide. The new Boulder office will extend A2LA’s reach and provide enhanced support to a growing customer base on the West Coast. 

“Opening a location in Boulder demonstrates our commitment to meeting customers where they are,” said Lonnie Spires, President and CEO of A2LA. “As demand for accreditation services continues to grow across the western U.S., this new office allows us to deliver even more responsive service and strengthen our connection with the industries we support.” 

The Boulder location will serve as a hub for accreditation operations, technical staff, and customer engagement. It reflects A2LA’s dedication to operational excellence and proactive service delivery. 

“We’ve listened to our customers, and we understand the importance of accessibility and regional support,” said Trace McInturff, Vice President of Accreditation Services. “Our Boulder office allows us to expand our access to resources and gives us the ability to work more closely with organizations in different time zones, offer faster response times, and build deeper partnerships throughout the western region.” 

The office will be staffed by a mixture of existing A2LA employees and new employees from the Boulder area. A2LA remains committed to its Frederick headquarters, which will continue to serve as the organization’s primary base of operations. The Boulder office complements this presence, creating new opportunities for collaboration, talent development, and enhanced customer service. 

“Opening this office is a new and exciting endeavor for all of us at A2LA,” said Jim Powell, A2LA Executive Director of Organizational Excellence. “We sincerely look forward to building strong local connections and becoming part of the Boulder community.” 

For more information, visit www.A2LA.org. 

AMETEK Announces Completed Acquisition of FARO Technologies  

AMETEK has announced that it has completed its acquisition of FARO Technologies, a global leader in 3D measurement and imaging solutions. Consequently, FARO will join Creaform and Virtek as part of AMETEK’s Ultra Precision Technologies Division. 

Together, FARO, Creaform, and Virtek will offer one of the most comprehensive, powerful, and trusted portfolio of portable and automated 3D metrology, laser projection, and digital reality solutions available in the industry. This strategic acquisition brings together decades of innovation and expertise to serve a wide range of applications and industries — all to the benefit of our customers, by helping solve their most complex 3D measurement & visualization challenges: 

Industrial Manufacturing: Portable measurement arms, handheld 3D scanners, laser trackers, optical CMMs, photogrammetry cameras, and fully integrated inspection and scan-to-CAD software for quality control and reverse engineering in automotive, aerospace, energy, heavy equipment and other industrial sectors. 

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) / Public Safety: Mobile and fixed 3D laser scanners and SaaS collaboration & viewing solutions that enable accurate as-built documentation, construction progress verification, BIM integration, as well as forensics and public safety applications. 

Manufacturing & Assembly: 3D laser projectors and smart cameras that support complex assembly processes and improve manufacturing efficiency and quality. 

According to the company, while FARO, Creaform and Virtek will continue to operate independently, they will increasingly collaborate to deliver unmatched customer experiences, enhanced product integration, and expanded service capabilities for our valued customers. 

For more information, visit www.faro.com, www.creaform3d.com, or www.virtekvision.com. 

Frog Force 503 Robotics Team Cuts, Forms Metal at BLM Group 

BLM Group USA welcomed local robotics team Frog Force 503 from Novi High School for a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at the cutting-edge tube and sheet laser technology that is driving the metal fabrication industry. The visit marks a key step in the collaboration between the student-led robotics team and the leading supplier of tube and sheet metal fabrication machines. 

As proud sponsors of Frog Force 503, BLM GROUP USA hosted 25 student participants and team coaches at its Solution Center in their North American headquarters. The students observed and participated in live demonstrations of the new LTX tube laser, the ProBend 205-60 press brake, the LS7 sheet laser and its proprietary ArTube software. 

“As a team sponsor, watching the Frog Force 503 team pour passion into the maintenance and development of their robot in the 2025 season was an incredible experience,” says Kenny Criger, applications manager at BLM Group USA. “The budding engineers from Novi High School show a lot of creativity, and we hope this visit opens their eyes to new possibilities for robot development in the 2026 season. Given our proximity, the BLM Group USA team is excited for the opportunity to actively contribute to the students in our community.” 

“This tour was amazing,” says Konark Sahoo, Electrical Group Lead of Frog Force 503. “I think a lot of this technology is stuff that other robotics teams would really desire every season. I’m really excited and I’m really thankful we got to visit.” 

The visit marks an important step of what both groups hope will become a long-lasting partnership centered around education, engineering and real-world problem-solving skills. 

For more information, visit BLMGroup.com or https://frogforce503.org/.  

NEOTech’s Agave 1 Facility Earns AS9100 Certification 

NEOTech, a premier provider of electronic manufacturing services (EMS), integrated design engineering, and advanced supply chain solutions for the aerospace and defense, medical device, and high-tech industrial markets, announced that its Agave 1 manufacturing facility in Juarez, Mexico, has officially received AS9100 certification. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the company’s continued commitment to quality excellence and support for commercial aerospace customers worldwide. 

AS9100 is the internationally recognized quality management system (QMS) standard for organizations involved in aviation, space, and defense. Certification to this standard demonstrates the Agave 1 site’s ability to consistently meet the demanding quality, safety, and reliability requirements of the global aerospace industry. 

With the certification now in place, NEOTech’s Agave 1 facility is fully qualified to support new and existing commercial aerospace programs, offering customers an additional nearshore manufacturing option that combines cost-effectiveness with world-class quality and compliance. The certification is a result of a rigorous auditing process and reflects the organization’s commitment to continuous improvement, risk management, and operational excellence. 

“This certification represents a significant step forward for our Juarez operations,” stated Marco Lopez, General Manager of NEOTech’s Agave 1 site. “It’s a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of our entire team, who worked tirelessly to meet the exacting standards required by the aerospace industry. We’re excited to offer our customers even more value through high-quality, certified manufacturing in Mexico, backed by NEOTech’s proven capabilities and customer-first mindset.” 

NEOTech’s expanding footprint of AS9100-certified sites reinforces the company’s position as a trusted EMS partner for top-tier aerospace OEMs. The addition of Agave 1 to NEOTech’s network of certified locations provides customers with increased flexibility, scalability, and confidence that their complex electronic products are being manufactured to the highest standards—regardless of location. 

As aerospace companies increasingly seek nearshore solutions to improve supply chain agility and reduce total landed costs, NEOTech continues to invest in quality systems, advanced equipment, and workforce development across its global operations. 

For more information, visit www.neotech.com. 

Advantive Acquires PINpoint, Expanding Data-Driven MES Capabilities 

Advantive, a mission-critical software provider for specialty manufacturing and distribution businesses, announced its acquisition of PINpoint, a manufacturing execution system (MES) based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. PINpoint’s MES solution broadens Advantive’s product lineup with the market’s leading comprehensive data-driven, no-code MES software. 

As AI becomes more widely adopted, manufacturers face more pressure than ever to collect and contextualize data to drive strategic decisions. Staying ahead of supply chain disruptions, workforce challenges, and market competition requires real-time visibility and actionable insights across the production floor. PINpoint is focused on the intersection of people, process, and technology with no-code MES and data-driven reporting to identify hidden costs, eliminate inefficiencies, and drive improvements without requiring new investments in labor or equipment. 

PINpoint offers a suite of capabilities, including actionable analysis & reporting and its proprietary InSight Hub to deliver a highly data-driven experience. Manufacturers can use the InSight Hub to gain insights into shop floor economic drivers such as production output, value add ratio, shift adherence, and more. With this feature, customers can navigate from high-level summaries all the way to Line, Station, Operator or product details to identify problem areas. 

“Advantive focuses on transformational manufacturing and distribution-centric software. This acquisition significantly expands feature capabilities into data-driven proficiency,” said Kevin Boyce, CEO of Advantive. “The acquisition of PINpoint enables us to further solidify our position in manufacturing and unlock new opportunities to combine data excellence and the human element within the manufacturing process.” 

Advantive is a leading provider of specialty distribution and manufacturing software with capabilities for a variety of industries, including food & beverage, aerospace & defense, packaging and construction. This acquisition builds upon Advantive’s MES capabilities to expand intelligent data collection, inspection guidance, and world-class, real-time insights for dozens of brands. 

“We are thrilled to become part of the Advantive family,” said Don McCartney, CEO of PINpoint. “In combining solutions, we strive to deliver on unique and complex challenges of businesses in manufacturing while furthering innovation in the industry.” 

For more information, visit https://www.advantive.com/ or www.pinpointinfo.com. 

Machinery Orders Slow in May While Preserving Year-Over-Year Gains 

New orders of metalworking machinery, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $392.7 million in May 2025. This was an 11.8% decline from April 2025 and a 2.7% increase from May 2024. Machinery orders in 2025 placed through May totaled $2.09 billion, a 15% increase over the first five months of 2024. 

While orders of manufacturing technology fell in March and April, the market continued to show signs of recovery, as every month in 2025 outperformed the same month in 2024. The value of May 2025 orders was 16% higher than the average May. When looking at the number of units ordered, the data shows far flatter growth. Through May 2025, the number of units ordered was 4.7% above the first five months of 2024, which is still the highest positive growth rate since 2021. 

Engine, turbine, and power transmission manufacturers made their largest investment in new metalworking machinery since February 2023. This is likely an extension of the outsized order activity trend in electrical equipment manufacturing due to increased grid demands from data centers. 

May 2025 machinery orders from the aerospace sector, which had the highest monthly order total on record in March 2023, fell to their typical monthly average but remain trending upward. Through May 2025, new factory orders for nondefense aircraft and parts were up 164% from 2024. Integrating these new orders into production schedules could exacerbate the rising capacity utilization rates of aerospace manufacturers without additional investments in manufacturing technology. 

Manufacturing technology orders remained relatively strong in April and May 2025 despite the economic uncertainty caused by the irregular implementation of tariff policy over those months. The recently passed tax and spending policy package will provide a degree of certainty to all businesses and includes major incentives for manufacturers, which could lead to additional machinery investments in the second half of 2025. 

For more information, visit amtonline.org. 

University of Bath student drone team flying high with world championship win  

Student engineers from the University of Bath have been crowned world champions in a contest to design, build and fly their own drone.  

Team Bath Drones won the 2025 UAS Challenge, which brought together 32 teams from universities around the world for a final fly-off event at BMFA Buckminster in Lincolnshire, UK.  

They clinched the win after having narrowly beat the reigning champions Beihang University (China), with Politecnico di Milano (Italy) awarded third place.   

Team lead Ashviny Ramanathan has just completed a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering in Bath’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. She said: “To win this worldwide competition among really strong competition is a just amazing. The team have worked incredibly hard this year to make our drone even better in terms of how it flies and how it’s made, so to take the overall win is a great way to end our season.  

“It was a great experience that we plan to replicate next year.”  

Over 100 students, studying Aerospace, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Management and Computer Science are members of Team Bath Drones.  

At the event, the team were charged with setting up their drone to operate autonomously, performing a series of tasks such as navigating waypoints, delivering a humanitarian aid package and returning to base via a defined route automatically, while also demonstrating its efficiency, maneuverability and sustainability.  

Bath were the first in the competition to fly a fully autonomous mission, performing a take-off, successful waypoint navigation, payload drop and landing.  

As well as the overall win, they also took home the environmental award for their all-new use of flax fiber composites in the drone’s fuselage, as well as the scrutineering award their systems, pre-flight processes, and overall professionalism throughout the competition. They were also runners up in the innovation, airworthiness and safety categories.  

Dr Samuel Bull, a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and the team’s academic supervisor, said: “What an achievement. This is a just reward for the team’s incredible hard work over the past nine months. As well as making a drone that flies beautifully, they also took on the additional challenge of reducing the impact of its manufacture as well by using plant-based composites, which they learned to work with and manufacture themselves.”  

Professor Tim Ibell, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Design, added: “The entire Faculty, and indeed the University, is so proud of Team Bath Drones and this excellent win – they’ve done themselves and the rest of us proud. Team Bath Drones is one of the many student teams in Engineering and Design that Bath students can take part in, and we continue to see the wonderful value and richness that they add to our students’ overall education experience.”  

Universities from Italy, the Netherlands, Estonia, Ireland, China and Turkey took part in the final competition. Having started in 2014 and now in its 11th year, the UAS Challenge is an annual engineering design competition, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, where undergraduate and postgraduate students at universities around the world design, build and fly a completely autonomous Unmanned Aerial System with a maximum weight of 10kg.  

Participants can apply their academic studies by working on an engineering project as close to the real world as possible, gaining hands-on experience of engineering design, project management and teamwork, enhancing their degree knowledge and making them more capable engineers when they reach industry.  

Full scoring for all the individual events will be available on the UAS Challenge website.  

The event is supported by partners Ansys, Leonardo, Callen-Lenz, and BAE Systems/FalconWorks and exhibitor Babcock, as well as over eighty volunteers working to run the event.  

For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/teambathdrones/. 

University of Illinois Gains Cutting-Edge 3D Metrology Capabilities with EDMIS's Advanced 5-Axis MVi5 3D Metrology Center  

The University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering’s Mechanical Engineering Lab (MEL) has significantly enhanced its 3D metrology capabilities with the recent installation of an MVi5 3D Metrology Center from EDM Intelligent Solutions (EDMIS). The MVi5 joins an existing RSH-SRX Robotic Metrology System from EDMIS that was installed at the lab in the spring of 2023.  

As a leading 3D metrology systems OEM, EDMIS delivers critical solutions for the most demanding applications in the Aerospace, Energy, Medical, and Semiconductor industries. Through its partnership with the University of Illinois, EDMIS is proud to support the University in accelerating engineering and manufacturing advancements.  

The AI Manufacturing Laboratory in Grainger College of Engineering is part of the Illinois Manufacturing Institute, directed by Professor William King . The Illinois Manufacturing Institute uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, additive manufacturing, metrology automation, and advanced computing to solve problems in manufacturing science and technology. The laboratory works with industry and government partners who seek to develop new solutions for future manufacturing. 

For more information, visit https://grainger.illinois.edu/ or https://www.edmdept.com/3d-metrology-systems/. 

Innovations in Optics, Inc., Promotes Two Senior Staff Members to President, Director of Engineering 

Innovations in Optics, Inc. (IOI) announced the promotion of two key staff members: Joe Chevalier has been named president, and David Pierce has been appointed director of engineering. 

Joe Chevalier, formerly vice president of Manufacturing and Operations at IOI, is a highly accomplished technology leader. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Prior to joining IOI, Joe served as president of ECRM Imaging Systems, an ISO 13485 registered company, where he led the design and manufacturing of laser-based optical imaging and scanning systems for medical devices and other applications. 

David Pierce, previously principal optical systems engineer, earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Bates College and has been with IOI since 2013. David is a highly gifted engineer who will now assume additional project and functional management responsibilities as head of the department. He has played a key role in the electro-optical development of many of IOI’s industry-leading products. 

“We are very excited to see Joe and David promoted to president and director of engineering, respectively, to help lead our growing team at IOI,” said Tom Brukilacchio, founder and CEO. “Their combined leadership, innovation, and technical expertise will be instrumental as we accelerate the development of our next-generation LED illumination systems. Each brings unique strengths that align perfectly with our mission to deliver innovative, high-power, highly stable optical solutions to our global customer base.” 

For more information, visit www.innovationsinoptics.com. 

Infinitesima Metron3D 300mm System Released for In-line Process Control by Leading DRAM Manufacturer 

Infinitesima announced that SK hynix, a full stack artificial intelligence (AI) memory provider, has adopted the Metron®3D 300mm in-line wafer metrology system and released it for use in volume production. The Metron3D provides three-dimensional (3D) process control with sub-nanometre accuracy, crucial for fabrication of SK hynix’s next-generation memory devices. 

The release to production follows an extensive evaluation period, applying the system for characterization across multiple process steps.  

Mr. Young-Hyun Choi, head of DMI (Defect Analysis, Metrology and Inspection Technology), stated, “Three-dimensional process control at the nano-scale level is becoming increasingly important to ensure high yield in advanced DRAM processes. Infinitesima’s Metron®3D has demonstrated excellent sub-nanometre 3D metrology with the required cost-of-ownership necessary for HVM implementation.”  

The Metron®3D features Infinitesima’s proprietary Rapid Probe MicroscopeTM (RPMTM) technology that provides AFM measurement capability at 10× to 100× typical AFM throughput.  The system’s capabilities also include fully automated wafer, data, and probe handling, making it optimal for in-line volume production of semiconductor devices. The investment in this metrology solution highlights SK hynix’s commitment to maintaining technical leadership in the development and manufacture of computer memory. 

“We are delighted to be working with SK hynix; their support and guidance has enabled rapid qualification of our Metron®3D system and deployment in HVM,” stated Peter Jenkins, Infinitesima president & CEO. 

For more information, visit www.infinitesima.com or www.skhynix.com.